50 
FISH-IIAWK, OR OSPREY. 
of men, but generally, by the whole neighborhood where it resides, that 
a person who should attempt to shoot one of them, would stand a fair 
chance of being insulted. This prepossession in favor of the Fish- 
Hawk is honorable to their feelings. They associate with its first 
appearance ideas of plenty, and all the gaiety of business ; they see it 
active and industrious like themselves ; inoffensive to the productions of 
their farms ; building with confidence, and Avithout the least disposition 
to concealment, in the middle of their fields, and along their fences ; 
and returning year after year regularly to its former abode. 
The nest of the Fish-Hawk is usually built on the top of a dead or 
decaying tree, sometimes not more than fifteen, often upwards of fifty 
feet, from the ground. It has been remarked by the people of the 
seacoasts, that the most thriving tree will die in a few years, after being 
taken possession of by the Fish-Hawk. This is attributed to the fish- 
oil, and to the excrements of the bird ; but is more probably occasioned 
by the large heap of wet, salt materials, of which it is usually composed. 
In my late excursions to the seashore I ascended to several of these 
nests, that had been built in from year to year, and found them con- 
structed as follows ; externally large sticks, from lialf an inch to an 
inch and a half in diameter, and two or three feet in length, piled to 
the height of four or five feet, and from two to three feet in breadth ; 
these were intermixed with corn-stalks, sea-weed, pieces of wet turf 
in large quantities, mullein-stalks, and lined Avith dry sea-grass ; the 
whole forming a mass very observable at half a mile's distance, and 
large enough to fill a cart, and form no inconsiderable load for a horse. 
These materials are so well put together, as often to adhere in large 
fragments after being blown down Ijy the wind. My learned and oblig- 
ing correspondent of New York, Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill, observes, that 
" A sort of superstition is entertained in regard to the Fish-Hawk. It 
has been considered a fortunate incident to have a nest, and a pair of 
these birds, on one's farm. They have therefore been generally res- 
pected ; and neither the axe nor the gun has been lifted against them. 
Their nest continues from year to year. The same couple, or another 
as the case may be, occupies it season after season. Repaii's are duly 
made, or when demolished by storms it is industriously rebuilt. There 
was one of these nests, formerly upon the leafless summit of a vener- 
able chestnut-tree, on our farm, directly in front of the house, at the 
distance of less than a half mile. The Avithered trunk and boughs, 
surmounted by the coarse wrought and capacious nest, Avas a more 
picturesque object than an obelisk. And the flights of the HaAvks as 
they Avent forth to hunt — returned Avith their game — exercised them- 
selves in Avheeling round and round and circling about it, were amusing 
to the beholder almost from morning to night. The family of these 
Hawks, old and young, was killed by the Hessian Jagers. A succeeding 
